Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a battery unit comprises a plurality of cells and a case to contain the cells. The case includes a first part to contain at least one cell, a second part to contain at least one cell, and a third part to connect the first and second parts. At least a portion of the third part is made thinner than the first and second parts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2005-077709, filed on Mar. 17, 2005, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic apparatussuch as a portable computer equipped with a battery unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

A portable computer has a battery unit as a power source. The batteryunit has cells and a case to contain the cells. The case is formed to bea rectangular shape having a predetermined thickness.

Such a battery unit is placed in a housing of a portable computertogether with an expansion unit such as a CD-ROM dirve. The expansionunit has a thin wall portion decreased in thickness on one side. Thethin wall portion adjoins to the battery unit in the housing.

The extended portion of the battery unit is formed by cutting off theend portion of the case adjacent to the battery unit and the thin wallportion of the expansion unit are laid in the direction of the thicknessof the housing. For example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.2001-143673 discloses an electronic apparatus provided with such abattery unit.

A portable computer has been demanded to be slimmer to increaseportability. However, in a conventional portable computer, the thin wallportion of an expansion unit is laid on the extended portion of abattery unit. Thus, in a battery unit having an extended portion, thespace in a housing can be effectively used, but the thickness of thehousing cannot be decreased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the general description given above and the detaileddescription of the embodiments given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer with abattery unit placed in a first housing in the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer showingthe positional relationship between the first housing and battery unitin the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer with thebattery unit removed from the first housing in the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary plane view of a portable computer showing thepositional relationship between the first housing and battery unit inthe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary sectional view taken along lines VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary sectional view of a portable computer with thebattery unit removed from the first housing in the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary sectional view taken along lines VIII-VIII ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary sectional view of a portable computer with thebattery unit removed from the first housing in the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary sectional view taken along lines X-X of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary sectional view of a portable computer with thebattery unit removed from the first housing in the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer showingthe positional relationship between the palm rest of the first housingand the battery unit in the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary sectional view of a battery unit according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toa second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toa third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toa sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toa seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toan eighth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is an exemplary perspective view of a battery unit according toa ninth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of the present invention will be explainedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 13.

FIG. 1 shows a portable computer 1 as an example of an electronicapparatus. The portable computer 1 has a main unit 2 and a display unit3.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the main unit 2 has a flat box-shapedfirst housing 10. The first housing 10 has a bottom wall 11 a, an upperwall 11 b, a front wall 11 c, a left-side wall 11 d, a right-side wall11 e and a rear wall 11 f. The upper wall 11 b has a palm rest 12 and akeyboard mounting part 13. The palm reset 12 is located in the fronthalf of the upper wall 11 b, and extended in the direction of the widthof the first housing 10. The keyboard mounting part 13 is located behindthe palm rest 12. The keyboard mounting part 13 holds a keyboard 14.

The first housing 10 has a pair of display connectors 15 a and 15 b atthe rear end portion. The display connectors 15 a and 15 b are recessesopened forward, upward and rearward of the first housing 10. The displayconnectors 15 a and 15 b are separated each other in the direction ofthe width of the first housing 10.

The display unit 3 has a second housing 20 and a liquid crystal displaypanel 21. The liquid crystal display panel 21 is placed in the secondhousing 20. The liquid crystal display panel 21 has a screen 21 a todisplay an image. The screen 21 a is exposed to the outside of thesecond housing 20 through an opening 20 a formed on the front side ofthe second housing 20.

The second housing 20 has a pair of connector legs 23 a and 23 b. Theconnector legs 23 a and 23 b are separated each other in the directionof the width of the second housing 20, and coupled to the displayconnectors 15 a and 15 b of the first housing 10. The connector legs 23a and 23 b are held by the display connectors 15 a and 15 b throughhinges (not shown). Thus, the display unit 3 is rotationally movablebetween the closed position and open position. At the closed position,the display unit 3 lies over the main unit 2 covering the palm rest 12and keyboard 14. At the open position, the display unit 3 rises againstthe main unit 2 to expose the palm rest 12, keyboard 14 and screen 21 a.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the firsthousing 10 contains a pointing device 40 (e.g., a touch pad), a harddisk drive (HDD) 50, and a printed circuit board 52. The first housing10 holds a battery unit 100 removably.

As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 11, the first housing 10 has a top cover 61and a base 62. According to one embodiment, the top cover 61 and base 62are made of metallic material such as magnesium alloy, for example. Thetop cover 61 forms the upper wall 11 b, front wall 11 c, left and rightside walls 11 d and 11 e, and rear wall 11 f of the first housing 10.The base 62 forms the bottom wall 11 a of the first housing 10.

The base 62 has a first partition wall 63 and second partition wall 64raised from the bottom wall 11 a. Thus, the inside of the first housing10 is partitioned into a first receptacle 65, a second receptacle 66 anda third receptacle 67. The first partition wall 63 is located betweenthe first receptacle 65 and second receptacle 66. The second partitionwall 64 is located between the first receptacle 65 and third receptacle67.

The base 62 has a pointing device holding part 68 extending in thelateral direction from the rising end portion of the second partitionwall 64. The pointing device holding part 68 is an example of amechanism part. As shown in FIG. 10, the pointing device holding part 68is located in the first receptacle 65, and recessed downward of the palmrest 12. The pointing device holding part 68 may be formed in the topcover 61.

The first receptacle 65 extends in the direction of the width of thefirst housing 10 under the palm rest 12. The first receptacle 65 is arecess opened downward of the first housing 10. The second receptacle 66is located on the right side of the first receptacle 65 under the palmreset 12. The third receptacle 67 is located behind the first and secondreceptacles 65 and 66. In other words, the third receptacle 67 islocated under the keyboard 14.

The pointing device 40 is an example of an electronic component, andlocated at the center along the direction of the width of the palm rest12. As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the pointing device50 includes an input part 41 and a driving part 42. The upper surface ofthe input part 41 is a flat input plane 41 a. The input part 41 is heldby a holding frame 43. The driving part 42 is contained in the firstreceptacle 65 in the state placed on the pointing device holding part68.

An opening 12 a is provided at the center along the direction of thewidth of the palm rest 12. The holding frame 43 is located inside theopening 12 a. Thus, the input plane 41 a of the pointing device 40 isexposed to the outside of the first housing 10 through the opening 12 a.

As the input part 41 of the pointing device 40, an electric capacitysensing sheet or a pressure-sensing pressure sensitive film can be used.As the pointing device 40, the input plane 41 a of the input part 41 maybe laid on the inside surface of the palm rest 12. In thisconfiguration, information is input to the input part 41 through thepalm rest 12. Therefore, the opening 12 a can be eliminated from thepalm rest 12.

According to this embodiment of the portable computer 1, the pointingdevice 40 is placed at the center along the direction of the width ofthe palm rest 12. If the pointing device 40 should be displaced from thecenter along the direction of the width of the palm rest 12, thepointing device 40 may be difficult to use and obstructive to theoperation of the keyboard 14.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the HDD 50 is placed in the secondreceptacle 66 through a holding member 51. The holding member 51 isfixed to the first housing 10 through a screw. The HDD 50 is locatedunder the palm rest 12, and placed at the corner defined by the frontwall 11 c and left side wall 11 d of the first housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the printed circuit board 52 is placedin the third receptacle 67 to be located under the keyboard 14. Theprinted circuit board 52 is fixed to the first housing 10 throughscrews. The printed circuit board 52 has an extended portion (not shown)extending to the first part 111. A power supply connector 54 is providedin the extended portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply connector54 is exposed to the first receptacle 65.

When the first housing 10 has a PC card slot, the PC card slot may beprovided in the second receptacle 66 and the HDD 50 may be placed in thethird receptacle 67.

A connector panel (not shown) is placed in the third receptacle 67 ofthe first housing 10. The connector panel holds connectors 53 such asUniversal Serial Bus (USB) connectors 53 a and network (LAN) connectors53 b. The connectors 53 are electrically connected to the printedcircuit board 52. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the connectors 53 areexposed to the outside of the first housing 10 through the rear wall 11f and right-side wall 11 d.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the battery unit 100 is placed removablyin the first receptacle 65 under the palm rest 12. The battery unit 100serves as a driving power source, when the portable computer 1 is usedin a place where utility power is not obtained. The battery unit 100 isadjacent to the HDD 50, and exposed from the first receptacle 65 towardthe bottom wall 11 a of the first housing 10.

The pointing device 40 is provided at the center along the direction ofthe width of the palm rest 12. Thus, a part of the battery unit 100faces the pointing device holding part 68. Therefore, the pointingdevice 40, pointing device holding part 68 and battery unit 100 arelayered in the direction of the thickness of the first housing 10. Thebattery unit 100 of this embodiment has an escape section 115 to avoidthe pointing device 40 and the pointing device holding part 68.

Describing in detail, as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the firstreceptacle 65 has a ceiling 71, first and second end faces 72 and 73,and first and second sides 74 and 75. The ceiling 71 is defined by theinside surface of the palm rest 12 and the lower surface of the pointingdevice holding part 68. The part of the ceiling 71 corresponding to thepointing device holding part 68 extends downward from the inside surfaceof the top cover 61.

The first and second end faces 72 and 73 and the first and second sides74 and 75 extend downward from the ceiling 71. The first end face 72 isformed in the first partition wall 63. The second end face 73 is formedin the left-side wall 11 d. The first end face 72 and second end face 73are opposed in the direction of the width of the first housing 10.

The first side 74 is formed in the second partition wall 64. The secondside 75 is formed in the base 62. The first side 74 and second side 75are opposed in the direction of the depth of the first housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the battery unit 100has a case 101 made of synthetic resin, cells 102 a-102 f as secondarybatteries, and a substrate 103. The cells 102 a-102 f may be squarecells having a flat box-shaped outward form. The cells 102 a-102 f mayalso be round cells having a cylindrical outward form.

As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the case 101 has first to thirdparts 111, 112 and 113. The first part 111 contains four cells 102 a-104d. The second part 112 contains two cells 102 e and 102 f. The thirdpart 113 is located between the first part 111 and second part 112, andconnects the first part 111 and second part 112.

The positive polarities and negative polarities of the four cells 102a-102 d contained in the first receptacle are electrically connected tothe substrate 103 through a wiring board 104. The positive polaritiesand negative polarities of the two cells 102 e and 102 f contained inthe second receptacle 66 are electrically connected to the substrate 103through the wiring board 104. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cells102 a, 102 b and 102 e are aligned and connected in series in the case101. Likewise, the cells 102 c, 102 d and 102 f are aligned andconnected in series in the case 101. Further, the cells 102 a and 102 c,102 b and 102 d, and 102 e and 102 f are connected in parallel.

Therefore, the first part 111 and second part 112 to contain the cells102 a-102 f are divided while holding the electrical connection of thecells 102 a-102 f.

The cells 102 a-102 f have electrical resistance components. Thus, theelectrical balance of the whole battery unit 100 can be adjusted bychanging the resistance of the wiring board 104 which electricallyconnects the cells 102 a-102 f.

The third part 113 of the case 101 has the escape section 115. In thebattery unit 100 of this embodiment, the escape section 115 is madethinner than the first and second parts 111 and 112.

In other words, the escape section 115 has a recess 116 opened to theupper side of the case 101. The recess 116 is opposite to the pointingdevice holding part 68. Due to the recess 116, the third part 113 of thecase 101 has a thin wall portion 114. As shown in FIG. 7, the thicknessd2 of the thin wall portion 114 is smaller than the thickness d1 of thecells 102 a-102 f. As shown in FIG. 6, the thickness d2 of the thin wallportion 114 is smaller than the thickness d4 of the first and secondparts 111 and 112.

In the battery unit 100 of this embodiment, the lower surface of thecase 101 opposite to the escape section 115 is a flat square plane.

As shown in FIG. 13, the substrate 103 of the battery unit 100 is placedin the first part 111 of the case 101. The substrate 103 stands in thecase 101 along the direction of the thickness of the case 101. Aconnector 105 is provided on the substrate 103. The connector 105 isexposed to the outside of the case 101 from an opening 101 a formed inthe case 101. The connector 105 is connected to the power supplyconnector 54, when the battery unit 100 is placed in the firstreceptacle 65.

The substrate 103 and connector 105 are not necessarily provided at theposition corresponding to the first part 111 of the case 101. Forexample, the substrate 103 may be provided in the second part 112 orthird part 113 and adapted for coupling with connector 105. In otherwords, the substrate 103 and connector 105 may be provided in differentparts of the case 101.

As shown in FIG. 3, an engagement part 106 c is provided on the rearsurface of the case 101. As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of other engagementparts 106 a and 106 b is provided on the front surface of the case 101.The engagement parts 106 a and 106 b are separated in the longitudinaldirection of the case 101.

A first receiving part 76 c shown in FIG. 3 is provided in the firstside 74 of the first receptacle 65. The first receiving part 76 cengages with the engagement part 106 c of the case 101, when the batteryunit 100 is placed in the first receptacle 65. The first receiving part76 c is slid in the direction of the width of the first housing 10 by arelease lever 77. The release lever 77 is exposed to the bottom wall 11a of the first housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12, a pair of second engagement parts 76 aand 76 b is provided on the second side 75 of the first receptacle 65.The second engagement parts 76 a and 76 b engage with the engagementparts 106 a and 106 b, when the battery unit 100 is placed in the firstreceptacle 65.

As indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. 3, the battery unit 100 is insertedinto the first receptacle 65 with the connector 105 of FIG. 12 faced tothe power supply connector 54. The case 101 of the battery unit 100 ispushed into the first receptacle 65, so that the upper surface of thecase 101 comes close to the ceiling 71 of the first receptacle 65. As aresult, the engagement part 106 c engages with the first receiving part76 c, and the other engagement parts 106 a and 106 b engage with thesecond receiving parts 76 a and 76 b. By this engagement, the batteryunit 100 is held in the first housing 10, and the escape section 115 ofthe case 101 is laid over the pointing device 40 and the pointing deviceholding part 68. At the same time, the connector 105 of the battery unit100 is electrically connected to the power supply connector 54.

In the state that the battery unit 100 is placed in the first receptacle65, the lower surface of the case 101 is placed on substantially thesame level as the outside surface of the bottom wall 11 a of the firsthousing 10. Thus, the lower surface of the case 101 functions as a partof the bottom wall 11 a of the first housing 10.

By placing the battery unit 100 in the first receptacle 65 of the firsthousing 10, the pointing device 40 and the pointing device holding part68 are fitted into the escape section 115 of the case 101. In otherwords, the battery unit 100 is placed in the first housing 10 with theescape section 115 laid on the pointing device 40 and the pointingdevice holding part 68 in the direction of the thickness of the firsthousing 10.

When removing the battery unit 100 from the first housing 10, slide therelease lever 77. By this sliding operation, the first receiving part 76c is separated and disengaged from the engagement part 106 c of thebattery unit 100. As a result, the rear end portion of the battery unit100 is lifted from the first housing 10. Therefore, the battery unit 100can be removed from the first housing 10 by hooking a finger on the rearend portion of the battery unit 100 and taking out the battery unit 100from the first receptacle 65.

In the above configuration, the battery unit 100 is exposed from thefirst receptacle 65 to the outside of the first housing 10, and thelower surface of the case 101 is placed on substantially the same levelas the outside surface of the bottom wall 11 a of the first housing 10.Therefore, the first housing 10 can be slimmed by the extent equivalentto the thickness of the bottom wall 11 a, compared with the case ofplacing the battery unit 100 in the area between the bottom wall 11 aand upper wall 11 b of the first housing 10.

In the state that the battery unit 100 is placed in the first receptacle65, the pointing device 40 and the pointing device holding part 68 arefitted into the escape section 115 of the battery unit 100. Therefore,the first housing 10 can be slimmed by the extent equivalent to thethickness of the pointing device 40.

Besides, in the battery unit 100 of this embodiment, the cells 102 a,102 b and 102 e are connected in series with the cells 102 c, 102 d and102 f. The cells 102 a and 102 c, 102 b and 102 d, and 102 e and 102 fare connected in parallel. Therefore, though the escape section 115 isformed in the case 101, sufficient electric capacity of the battery unit100 can be secured as in a conventional battery unit.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the upper side of the case 101 of thebattery unit 100 is hidden by the first housing 10, when the portablecomputer 1 is placed on the top plane B of a desk, for example.Therefore, in the ordinary operating state, the battery unit 100 is notexposed to the outside of the portable computer 1.

Further, in the state that the battery unit 100 is placed in the firstreceptacle 65, the lower surface of the case 101 of the battery unit 100is placed on substantially the same level as the outside surface of thebottom wall 11 a of the first housing 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2and FIG. 3, by providing feet 30 a-30 f on the lower surface of the case101 and the outside surface of the bottom wall 11 a of the first housing10, the portable computer 1 can be stably set on the top plane B.

Namely, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the two feet 30 a and 30 c areprovided on the lower surface of the case 101. The four feet 30 b-30 fare provided on the outside surface of the bottom wall 11 a of the firsthousing 10. The feet 30 a, 30 b and 30 c are located at the front endportion of the first housing 10, and aligned with intervals in thedirection of the width of the first housing 10. The feet 30 d and 30 eare located at the rear end portion of the first housing 10, andseparated each other in the direction of the width of the first housing10. The foot 30 f is located at the center of the bottom wall 10 a.

Therefore, in the state that the portable computer 1 is set on the topplane B of a desk, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, the feet 30 a-30 fcontacts the upper surface of the top plane B. Particularly, in thisembodiment, three feet 30 a-30 c are aligned at intervals proximate tothe front end portion of the first housing 10. Therefore, when operatingthe pointing device 40 located at the center of the palm rest 12, theportable computer 1 does not tilt and wobble on the top plane B.

The battery unit 100, according to this embodiment, comprises a case101, and cells 102 a-102 f. The case 101 has a first part 111 to containfour cells 102 a-102 d, a second part 112 to contain two cells 102 e and102 f, and a third part 113 to connect the first and second parts 111and 112. The third part has an escape section 115.

Therefore, when placing the battery unit 100 in the first receptacle 65,at least a part of the pointing device 40 and the pointing deviceholding part 68 is led to (e.g., situated within) the space S defined bythe escape section 115, and the portable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

In other words, the third part 113 of the case 101 has a thin wallportion 114. The thickness d2 of the thin wall portion 114 is smallerthan the thickness d4 of the first and second parts 111 and 112.Therefore, when placing the battery unit 100 in the first receptacle 65,at least a part of the pointing device 40 and the pointing deviceholding part 68 is laid on the thin wall portion 114 of the case 101along the direction of the thickness of the first housing 10, and theportable computer 1 can be slimmed.

Further, the third part 113 has a recess 116. Therefore, at least a partof the pointing device 40 and the pointing device holding part 68 islaid on the recess 116, and the portable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

As described above, according to this embodiment, there is provided abattery unit 100, which contributes to slimming of an electronicapparatus such as a portable computer 1.

The battery unit 100 of this embodiment electrically connects four cells102 a-102 d contained in the first part 111 to two cells 102 e and 102 fcontained in the second part 112. Therefore, as in an ordinary batteryunit, the battery unit 100 can provides power proportional to the totalvolume of the cells 102 a-102 f.

Further, according to the battery unit 100 of this embodiment, the firstpart 111 to contain cells 102 a-102 d is electrically connected to butseparated from the second part 112 to contain cells 102 e and 102 f.Therefore, the battery unit 100 may have one connector 105 and one powersupply connector 54.

In the portable computer 1 of this embodiment, the battery unit 100 thatis a heavy component is placed at the front end portion of the firsthousing 10. Therefore, when moving the display unit 3 between the closedposition and open position, the front end portion of the main unit 2 isprevented from lifting. Therefore, the main unit 2 is stabilized, andthe display unit 3 can be easily moved.

The printed circuit board 52 connected electrically to the battery unit100 through the connector 105 and power supply connector 54 is locatedimmediately after the battery unit 100 in the first housing 10. A CPU(not shown) mounted on the printed circuit board 52 tends to generateheat during operation as the processing speed and functions areincreased. Comparing with such a CPU, the battery unit 100 is heated alittle. Therefore, even if the battery unit 100 is placed under the palmrest 12, the operator can operate the keyboard 14 without any adverseinfluences from heat experienced at the battery unit 100.

In the above embodiment, when the battery unit 100 is placed in thefirst receptacle 65, the bottom of the recess 116 of the case 101 maycontact the pointing device holding part 68. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this particular architecture. There may be agap between the bottom of the recess 116 and the pointing device holdingpart 68.

The shape, number and location of the escape section 115 are optionalfeature, and not limited to the above embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inthe second embodiment, the shape of a battery unit 100 is different fromthe first embodiment. However, various components and features are thesame as the first embodiment. Therefore, for the second embodiment ofthe battery unit 100, the same reference numerals are given to the samecomponents as the first embodiment, and explanation will be omitted.

In the battery unit 100 of this embodiment, the third part 113 of a case101 has an escape section 115. The escape section 115 is defined by anotch 119 cut out in the direction of the thickness of the case 101. Atleast a part of an electronic component or mechanical component is ledto the space S defined by the notch 119, and an electronic apparatussuch as a portable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

The shape, number and location of the notch 119 are optional. In otherwords, the shape, number and location are desirably determined by theposition of an electronic component or mechanical component.

FIG. 15 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inthe third embodiment, the shape of a battery unit 100 is different fromthe first embodiment. However, various components and features are thesame as the first embodiment. Therefore, for the third embodiment of thebattery unit 100, the same reference numerals are given to the samecomponents as the first embodiment, and explanation will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, a case 101 of the battery unit 100 has afirst part 111 to contain a pair of cells 102 a and 102 b, a second part112 to contain a pair of cells 102 c and 102 d, and a third part 113 toconnect the first and second parts 111 and 112. The first part 111 andsecond part 112 are arranged in the direction orthogonal to each other.The third part 113 has a corner 120 (“a section”). In this embodiment,the corner 120 is formed substantially at a right angle. The angle ofthe corner 120 is optionally determined by the positional relationshipbetween the first part 111 and second part 112.

The third part 113 has an escape section 115. The escape section 115 ismade thinner than the first and second parts 111 and 112. In otherwords, the escape section 115 is defined by a recess 116 having anupward opening. Due to the recess 116, the third part 113 of the case101 has a thin wall portion 114. The thickness d2 of the thin wallportion 114 is smaller than the thickness d1 of the cells 102 a-102 d.Also, the thickness d2 of the thin wall portion 114 is less than thethickness d4 of the first and second parts 111 and 112.

According to this embodiment, since the third part 113 of the batteryunit 100 includes the recess 116, at least a part of an electroniccomponent or mechanical component is led to the space S defined by therecess 116, and an electronic apparatus such as a portable computer 1can be made slimmer.

FIG. 16 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inthe fourth embodiment, the shape of a battery unit 100 is different fromthe first embodiment, but includes various components that are the sameas the first embodiment. Hence, discussions of these similar componentshave been omitted.

According to this embodiment, a third part 113 of the battery unit 100has an escape section 115. The escape section 115 is defined by agroove-like recess 116. Due to the recess 116, the third part 113 has athin wall portion 114. The thickness d2 of the thin wall portion 114 issmaller than the thickness d4 of first and second parts 111 and 112.

According to this embodiment, the third part 113 of the battery unit 100has a groove-like recess 116. Therefore, at least a part of anelectronic component or mechanical component is led to the space Sdefined by the recess 116, and an electronic apparatus such as aportable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the recess 116 is shapedlike a groove, it is convenient to insert a stylus 121, which inputsinformation to the pointing device 40, for example. Therefore, thestylus 121 can be removably provided in the periphery of the batteryunit 100.

The stylus 121 is available in two types. One inputs information in thepointing device 40 by using electrostatic induction, and the otherinputs information by applying pressure on the pointing device 40. Thestylus 121 using electrostatic induction is an example of electroniccomponent. The pressure-type stylus 121 is an example of mechanicalcomponent.

FIG. 17 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.According to the fifth embodiment, the shape of a battery unit 100 isdifferent from the first embodiment. However, there exist a number ofcomponents that are the same as the first embodiment. Hence, discussionsof these similar components have been omitted.

According to this embodiment, a third part 113 of a case 101 of thebattery unit 100 is placed on the same plane as first and second parts111 and 112. The third part 113 has an escape section 115. The escapesection 115 is defined by a substantially square recess 116 having abottom 116 a. Due to the recess 116, the third part 113 of the case 101has a thin wall portion 114 with the thickness smaller than the firstand second portions 111 and 112.

According to this embodiment, at least a part of an electronic componentor mechanical component is led to the space S defined by the recess 116and layered on the bottom 116 a, and an electronic apparatus such as aportable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

FIG. 18 shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.According to the sixth embodiment, the shape of an escape section 115 ofa case 101 is different from the fifth embodiment. However, there exista number of components that are the same as the fifth embodiment. Hence,discussions of these similar components have been omitted.

According to this embodiment, the escape section 115 of the case 101 isdefined by a square hole 118. The hole 118 is a through hole formed atthe center of the third part 113.

According to this embodiment, at least a part of an electronic componentor mechanical component is led to the space S defined by the hole 118,and an electronic apparatus such as a portable computer 1 can be madeslimmer. The shape, number and location of the hole 118 are optional. Inother words, the shape, number and location are desirably determined bythe position of electronic component or mechanical component.

FIG. 19 shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.In the battery unit 100 according to this embodiment, a case 101contains three cells 102 g-102 i. The cells 102 g-102 i may use roundcells having a cylindrical outward form. A first part 111 of the case101 contains two cells 102 g and 102 h. A second part 112 of the case101 contains one cell 102 i.

The third part 113 of the case 101 has an escape section 115. The escapesection 115 is defined by a recess 116 having a bottom 116 a. The recess116 has a form opened to the upper, front and rear sides of the case101. Due to the recess 116, the third part 113 of the case 101 has athin wall portion 114. The thickness d2 of the thin wall portion 114 issmaller than the diameter d3 of the cells 102 g-102 i. The lower surfaceof the case 101 is a flat plane.

According to this embodiment, at least a part of an electronic componentor mechanical component is led to the space S defined by the recess 116and layered on the bottom 116 a, and an electronic apparatus such as aportable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

FIG. 20 shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.In the battery unit 100 according to this embodiment, a case 101contains two cells 102 g and 102 h. The cells 102 g and 102 h may useround cells having a cylindrical outward form. A first part 111 of thecase 101 contains one cell 102 g. A second part 112 of the case 101contains one cell 102 h.

A third part 113 of the case 101 is placed on the same plane as thefirst and second parts 111 and 112. The third part 113 of the case 101has a pair of escape sections 115. Each escape section 115 is defined bya cutout 119. One cutout 119 is formed at the corner defined by theupper side and front side of the case 101. The other cutout 119 isformed at the corner defined by the upper side and rear side of the case101. Each cutout 119 has a bottom 119 a. Due to the cutout 119, thethird part 113 has a pair of thin wall portions 114. The thin wallportions 114 are thinner than the first and second parts 111 and 112.

According to this embodiment, at least a part of an electronic componentor mechanical component is led to the space S defined by the cutout 119and layered on the bottom 116 a, and an electronic apparatus such as aportable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

FIG. 21 shows a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.According to this embodiment, a case 101 of a battery unit 100 has afirst part 111, a second part 112, a third part 113, a fourth part 124,and a fifth part 125. The first part 111 contains two cells 102 a and102 b. The second part 112 contains two cells 102 c and 102 d. Thefourth part 124 contains two cells 102 e and 102 f.

The third part 113 is interposed between the first part 111 and secondpart 112, and connects these two parts 111 and 112. The fifth part 125is interposed between the second part 112 and fourth part 124, andconnects these two parts 112 and 124.

The third and/or fifth parts 113 and 125 have an escape section 115. Theescape section 115 is defined by a groove-like recess 116 having abottom 116 a. Due to the recess 116, the third and fifth parts 113 and125 of the case 101 have a thin wall portion 114. The thin wall portion114 is thinner than the first, second and fourth parts 111, 112 and 124.

According to this embodiment, at least a part of an electronic componentor mechanical component is led to the space S defined by the recess 116and layered on the bottom 116 a, and an electronic apparatus such as aportable computer 1 can be made slimmer.

Electronic apparatuses to mount the battery unit according to thepresent invention are not limited to a portable computer. The batteryunit is applicable to other electronic apparatus such as an electronicnotepad and personal digital assistant (PDA) for example.

An “electronic component” is not limited to a pointing device like atouch panel, but should be broadly construed. For example, a keyboard,HDD, DVD drive, PC card, PC card slot, memory card slot, extendedmemory, LAN module, wireless module, stylus (to input a signal in apointing device using electrostatic induction), printed circuit boardand even connector panel are examples of electronic components. Whensuch an electronic component is mounted in the housing, at least a partof it is led to the escape section of the battery unit, and anelectronic apparatus can be made slimmer.

Mechanical components are not limited to a pointing device holding partand a stylus to press a pointing device. For example, a hinge to holdthe display unit to the main unit is usable. When such a mechanicalcomponent is mounted in the housing, at least a part of it is led to theescape section of the battery unit, and an electronic apparatus can bemade slimmer.

Further, in the battery unit according to the present invention, theescape section of the case is not limited to having a thin wall portionthinner than the first and second parts. The escape section is used toavoid interference between the battery unit and electronic component ormechanical component. Therefore, even if a part of the third part of thecase is made thicker than the first or second part, as long as the otherparts have an escape section, an electronic apparatus can be madeslimmer.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a plurality of battery cells; acase housing the cells, the case includes a first part to contain atleast one cell, a second part to contain at least one cell, and a thirdpart to connect the first part and the second part, at least a portionof the third part having a thickness less than a thickness of the firstpart and a thickness of the second part; a battery unit comprising thecells and the case; and a casing comprising the battery unit and anelectronic component at least partially overlapping at least the portionof the third part in a thicknesswise.
 2. The electronic apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the battery cells has flatbox-shaped form, and wherein a wall portion of the third part has athickness less than the plurality of cells.
 3. The electronic apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the battery cells has cylindricalform, and wherein a wall portion of the third part has a thickness lessthan the plurality of cells.
 4. An electronic apparatus comprising: aplurality of battery cells; a case housing the cells, the case includesa first part to contain at least one cell, a second part to contain atleast one cell, and a third part to connect the first part and thesecond part, at least a portion of the third part having a thicknessless than a thickness of the first part and a thickness of the secondpart; a battery unit comprising the cells and the case; and a casingcomprising the battery unit and an mechanical component at leastpartially overlapping at least the portion of the third part in athicknesswise.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, whereineach of the battery cells has flat box-shaped form, and wherein a wallportion of the third part has a thickness less than the plurality ofcells.
 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each ofthe battery cells has cylindrical form, and wherein a wall portion ofthe third part has a thickness less than the plurality of cells.
 7. Theelectronic apparatus comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a casehousing the cells, the case includes a first part to contain at leastone cell, a second part to contain at least one cell, and a third partto connect the first part and the second part, the third part includingan escape section; a battery unit comprising the cells and the case; anda casing comprising the battery unit and an electronic component atleast partially located in a space formed by the escape section.
 8. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the escape sectioncomprises an aperture section.
 9. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the escape section comprises a notch section.
 10. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the third sectionfurther comprises a section that can connect the first section andsecond section so that the first section and the second section crosseach other in a predetermined angle, and wherein the predetermined angleis determined by a positional relationship between the first section andthe second section.
 11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the escape section is a recessed section.
 12. The electronicapparatus according to claim 11, wherein a thickness of the recessedsection is smaller than a thickness of the first section and a thicknessof the second section.
 13. The electronic apparatus according to claim11, wherein the recessed section is formed on a center of the thirdsection, and wherein a surrounding portion of the recessed portion ismade flush with end faces of the first section and the second section.14. The electronic apparatus comprising: a plurality of battery cells; acase housing the cells, the case includes a first part to contain atleast one cell, a second part to contain at least one cell, and a thirdpart to connect the first part and the second part, the third partincluding an escape section; a battery unit comprising the cells and thecase; and a casing comprising the battery unit and a mechanicalcomponent at least partially located in a space formed by the escapesection.
 15. The electronic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein theescape section has an aperture section.
 16. The electronic apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the escape section has a notch section.17. The electronic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the thirdsection further comprises a section that can connect the first sectionand second section so that the first section and the second sectioncross each other in a predetermined angle, and wherein the predeterminedangle is determined by a positional relationship between the firstsection and the second section.
 18. The electronic apparatus accordingto claim 14, wherein the escape section is a recessed section.
 19. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a thickness of therecessed section is smaller than a thickness of the first section and athickness of the second section.
 20. The electronic apparatus accordingto claim 18, wherein the recessed section is formed on a center of thethird section, and wherein a surrounding portion of the recessed portionis made flush with end faces of the first section and the secondsection.